Unexpected visuals abound at the Venice Biennale, an international showcase of modern art held on odd numbered years in this ancient maritime city. The 2013 show (just opened to Nov. 24) includes this sculpture by British artist Marc Quinn, on San Giorgio Maggiore island (AFP / Gabriel Bouys). Below, Quinn’s Spiral of the Galaxy, a bronze seashell artwork (Wallpaper magazine)
The Biennale also includes theatre, music and live art performances, including this one by Chinese artist Li Wei in front of Saint Mark’s Square (Photo credit: Getty, from The Telegraph’s extensive slide show.)
Much of the exhibition is in pavilions created by participants from 88 countries. Here is the work of Polish multimedia artist Pawel Althamer, who “plastifies Venetians,” as Boom put it in a feature on the Biennale this week. The hands and faces of these surreal, life-size works were cast in plastic from local Venetians, with bodies formed of plastic ribbons. (Credit: My Modern Met)
See more on the Venice Biennale website, here.
A New York Times piece about the (celebrity) collectors who attend the Biennale, here.
An overview of why the event in Venice is important, and often controversial, here.
Categories: Events
Canadian Art Junkie 
Hi, i was stunned when I saw the picture with the naked lady besides the church! I wondered, how ma photo got here:-)
I took some fotos from that lady, as I thought it was one of the most impressing peaces of art at the Bienale. Thanks for these wonderful memories! gerda
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having seen all of this in person, the sheer scale of the lilac woman is awe inspiring!
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Reblogged this on Art in a Hurricane and commented:
I have must go The Venice Biennale one day!
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nice
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did not see that statue last time
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I would especially love to see those ribbon people – so cool and so fluid looking. 🙂
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How wonderful. I am traveling to Venice this year. I am excited to have the opportunity to explore these works.
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Then I imagine you will have your fill of just about any dose of modern art, architecture and performance that you want. Hope you thoroughly enjoy it!
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It looks so beautiful!
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The spectrum of exhibitions at this biennale looks amazing. Would love to see it. (May actually do so!)
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I like that they put the first statue in Venice!
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Yes, the contrast between Ancient Venice and modern art is quite spectacular, I agree.
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